Online petition set up in support of Terry Swails

“If drivers carried stickers in their trucks, it would create several problems that would be impossible to control.”

Q: I am very concerned after reading Monday's Ask the Times. Although you stated that Terry Swails still is employed as chief meteorologist for KWQC-TV, I can't help but think the whole thing sounds fishy. via Bettendorf News

[DROCK]

No differnet than Deere giving huge bonuses to upper management, while taking away health care benefits that only truly affects the "little guy".
It's all about corporate greed, and the botton line affects upper managements bonuses.. Sad to see Terry go. He seemed like a gunuinely nice guy.
Somebody will snatch him up, and be happy that they got him...

[Hoss]

Sad to see Terry Swails go. Looks like another casualty of bottom line management. You want the best you have to pay for the best. Guess the station owners feel that we only deserve less than the best.

[pete]

How long has he been gone ?? Was he let go or did he quit??

[Robert Swanson]

It is unfortunate that the greedy management team that runs KWQC made a decision to fire Terry Swails. Oh, they will make the language of his firing pretty and politically correct, however, they fired him and of that there is no doubt. It is unfortunate that his fellow workers did not stand up for him. They should have walked off the job in protest.
I will continue to watch KWQC,but when it comes time for the weather I will switch to WQAD. I like Sharon DeRycke and Elizabeth Goodsit who always add a bit of down home niceness to the broadcasts. They both do a very professional job.
Bob Swanson
DeWitt

[boohoo6]

It's the greedy corporate axe that is chopping away at KWQC.
Swails was just the beginning. There are going to be massive layoffs beginning midweek. Roughly 1/3 of the station will be let go.
This is happening across the board with Young Broadcasting stations - you can look it up. They have a huge payment due in March and in trying to make it are cutting employees and trying to dump KRON in San Francisco.
The question is: What happens when they can't make their payment? Better yet what will happen to all these people who are holding on to their jobs by the skin of their teeth who are NOT greedy corporate beings? The very corporate beings who took their 1.3 million dollar Christmas bonus in 12/2007 and are now laying off employees a few weeks later.
Sickening.
God be with all of those whose families rely on Young Broadcasting to feed and shelter their families.

[Jim Munson]

Boohoo is right on the money. Young Broadcasting is very near Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. Look at its stock (symbol: YBTVA). The company is technically insolvent and owes much more than it owns.
Young is being forced to cut its operations drastically. The company believes people watch Channel 6 out of habit. They think they could have a monkey anchor the news with Paula Sands and still retain top ratings in the weak QC TV Market. Good luck to all.

[art vanderlay]

i grew up wathching terry. he was easily the best meteroligist in the qc. the rest of the weather team at channel six does not compare, i call them weather reporters,clearly do not have the knowledge of terry. i will now be watching neil caster for my weather

[Allen]

Somehow it's hard to believe corporate greed got Terry a pink slip. NOT. Just one more example of what's disgusting about our country.I guess thats why I stayed with a small company.Less pay but I'm half of our labor.Anyway good luck to you Terry as we all know you're one of the best and by the way thanks for autographing you're book for me.

[JANET]

TERRY YOU'RE THE BEST THEY HAD!IF THEY DON''T WANT YOU,IT'S THEIR LOSE. YOU'LL DO BETTER,I'M SURE! THOMSON,ILLINOIS

[JANET]

TERRY SWAILS IS A BIG ASSET TO THE COMMUNITY! SHOW HIM YOUR SUPPORT BY GOING TO- [e-mail] YOU CAN E-MAIL YOUR COMMENTS DIRECTLY TO THE CORPORATE OFFICE!

[Debbie]

We just moved to this area a year ago and the reason I watched KWQC is because of Terry Swails. He was the best I've ever seen, with a nice personality too. It's sad to see him go. If any knows where he may be in the future I would certainly follow his weather broadcasts!!

[Max]

Should have kept Terry. The company could have saved money by throwing that idiot Jim Fisher off the property. The old fool (Jim) is hardly a good example for anyone to hear on the air as they pass through the QCA, his use of the english language is a laugh, what a bad joke to play on everyone. Bring Terry back and toss Jim out. Sorry Jim, I know your an old Daddy, again, proving your an old fool. I turn the radio off when Jim or Rush hit the air waves. Bring Terry Back, he is a good guy and it shows, even when he was off the air with an open mic, a good guy.

[wethaluva2008]

I've been watching Mr. Swails since I was in kindegarten. He was an icon when it came to Quad City weather. I am sad. Please come back Mr. Swails and sign my weather book about thunderstorms.

[koreen rhea]

i watched kwqc news because of terry he seemed to be gunuine about his news and was really sincere about the news i hope they donot let him go he is such a great assest to us watching the news keep the faith ih god terry he will be with you
koreen rhea galesburg,il

[sad]

What is this world coming to when the most competent
people are released from their job and the new comers without as much experience are replacing them. It is happening all over to people getting close to retirement age or high on the pay scale.
It is not just corporate greed but a lack of intelligent people in charge whether is a school board, or a corporate board or whatever. I feel very upset about this as Terry Swails and his wife are an asset to their community and whatever they take part in. It is Channel 6 loss.

[cin]

I knew Terry from his days in Dubuque--what a professional, he loved forecasting and his talent is rare insofar as he actually knew what he was talking about. Very unfortunate and not so intellingent to let someone of his talent and weather intellect slip through the cracks thanks to corporate greed. Godspeed Terry !

[Chris]

The best on air weather personality in the QCA! What a shame for him to be let go! Good luck and God bless you Terry!

[sandra]

I will not watch kwqc weather . Terry had heart . he always kept you inform. I ve lived here all my life and always watch Terry .

[Bob Winkelman]

I worked with Terry for close to 15 years. I left KWQC because Young Broadcasting was raping the best television station in the Midwest to pay for the albatross KRON (the worst acquisition in television history).
The people who have worked at WOC/KWQC reads like a who's who of television. Whether in front of the camera or behind it the people where the best. It deeply saddens me to hear that Young Broadcasting is destroying an icon of American television.

[Karla Park View]

Terry Swails will be missed by all, and especially by me. I am now retired, and watch the weather more now than ever. How much ice, snow, exactly when, best warnings, and much more was given by Terry Swails, with his extreme expertise. His passion and beliefs, of nature of the beasts, saw weather, good and bad,with his best forecasts, and, it was always his best!
He was and always will be THE CHIEF METEOROLOGIST wherever he goes...